Uživanje alkohola med starostniki v domačem okolju : rezultati presejalnega testa SMAST-G
Alcohol consumption among the elderly living at home : results of the SMAST-G screening test

slovenian

2017

volume 51, issue 2

alcohol   health   old age   screening

Zbornica zdravstvene in babiške nege Slovenije - Zveza strokovnih društev medicinskih sester, babic in zdravstvenih tehnikov Slovenije
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Introduction: Research conducted to date indicates that from 5 % to 23 % of the elderly consume alcohol. The aim of the research was to examine the occurrence of alcohol consumption among the elderly in relation to demographic factors, social inclusion and relationships, and self-assessment of health. Methods: We used the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test - Geriatric version standardized questionnaire. The research included non-randomly selected elderly people above 65 years of age, who were living at home and could understand the text. The data was processed with the descriptive analysis and chisquare test. Results: The research found that 30.0 % of the elderly have potential alcohol problems. Statistical significance was revealed in lower education and drinking (x2 = 12.255, p = 0.007), and male gender and drinking (x2 = 14.641, p < 0.001). We established a statistical correlation between the self-assessment of health and drinking (x2 = 12.085, p = 0.017), with assessment of social relationships (x2 = 14.124, p < 0.001) and with (non-)existence of future personal aims (x2 = 12.156, p = 0.016). Discussion and conclusion: Alcohol consumption among the elderly is related to poorer quality of social relationships and self-assessment of health. The research reveals the need to increase the knowledge of the elderly regarding alcohol consumption, their integration into social environments, and further research of the problem of alcohol consumption among the elderly.

08.05.2018